Do you find it difficult to navigate today’s increasingly digital world?
Whether it’s online banking, booking appointments, running a price comparison or managing your email, some of us struggle to see the wood for the trees when it comes to the internet.
So, to help out we’re running some free online sessions to help you become more skilled with navigating the digital world.
We have increasingly found that access to essential services such as banking, booking appointments and getting car or home insurance has moved online; especially as many restaurants, cinemas and entertainment venues have switched to online bookings since Covid-19.
If you’re IT savvy then living a digital life can be a breeze, but we know that many of you can feel frustrated and left behind as signatures and handshakes are replaced by biometric authentication and CAPTCHA forms.
Technology has increased at an incredible rate in recent years, but help is on hand for our retired community, in the shape of our new volunteer Digital Champion, Ian Potter, who will be delivering a special Living Well Group to help anyone who’s having difficulty navigating online systems and services.
Ian will be able to guide you through some of the more challenging aspects of the online world, such as buying and selling online and potential security risks, to more everyday activities including how to use messaging services and share photos with your family and friends.
If you would like to know more about our Digital Support Living Well Group, give Clare Hannaford a call on 01626 855274, email CHannaford@firefighterscharity.org.uk or, if you’re feeling brave enough, direct message her on MyFFC @ClareHannaford.
In order to make sure that we’re delivering information that is relevant to you, we’ve created a survey so you can have your say. Closing date is Friday, 30 September. You can express an interest in attending the programme at the end of the survey.
Ian says: “I am a Project Manager in the Transformation Team at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, working to improve our processes and ways of working. A significant part of the Transformation Programme is the digitisation of our Service and upskilling our staff to be able to make the best use of this new digital capability, and I am involved in this too.
“I wouldn’t claim to be an expert, but I am confident in using technology and I am a digital champion within the service. Shortly after joining the Service, I became aware of the fantastic work The Fire Fighters Charity does in supporting members in a wide variety of ways.
“I was looking for a volunteering role with the Charity and came across the Living Well Groups – Digital Age Champions, which I felt would give me an opportunity to meet people and help them enjoy the benefits being digitally confident can bring.”